ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ
ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ
Oklahoma Gold : ‘ 15 Minutes ’
By Scott Russell
TULSA , Okla . – In this fourth installment of “ Oklahoma Gold ”, I ’ ve taken liberty to dedicate this months ’ May issue to all professional journalists who have invested their time and skill to insure that Oklahoma ’ s own received their 15 minutes in the spotlight . Fortunately most have seen much more .
In the years before internet based reporting , the newspaper business was in high demand for current information . Publications large and small were busy around the clock gathering newsworthy content . The power of print is still strongest in-hand validation of who , what , where and when .
Speaking from personal experience , my first and most memorable 15 minutes with the press was the Tulsa World ’ s then entertainment writer Ellis Widner ; his weekly coverage spanned from the 1980s and ‘ 90s . Widner ’ s weekly behind the scenes look at the Tulsa entertainment made you glad you were there or damn sorry you
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missed out . According to Ellis , memorable Tulsa performances that stand out are Tina Turner ’ s 1980 Private Dancer Show Grand Opening for Zigfields and Talking Heads ’ two performances at Larry Shaefer ’ s Cain ’ s Ballroom . In a recent conversation , Ellis credits Tulsa as his coming of age . All be there multitudes of support of Oklahoma talent , Ellis ’ dedication to his craft will long be remembered as a cheerleader of Tulsa talent .
Another equally talented writer for the World was John Wooley . Wooley ’ s years with the World , 1994-2006 , gave us equally amazing written accounts of the venues , talent and promoters that brought the house down week after week . One of many notable books written by Wooley is titled “ From the Blue Devils to Red Dirt : The Colors of Oklahoma Music ”. In addition , Tulsa was the base operations for monthly publications including Uptown News and Urban Tulsa each of which were major mainstays
JOE MACK
5 / 5 The Branch - Tahlequah , OK - 7 pm 5 / 6 Piddle ’ s Place - Park Hill , OK - 7 pm 5 / 13 Riverbend Floats - Tahlequah , OK - 5 pm 5 / 26 Mayor ’ s Red Dirt Ball -
Medicine Park , OK - 8 pm^ 5 / 27 Paradox Beer Co - Divide , CO - 4 pm * 5 / 28 Kip ’ s Grill - Creede , CO - Noon * 5 / 29 Kip ’ s Grill - Creede , CO - Noon *
^ w / Carter Sampson * w / Carter Sampson & Erik the Viking
in independent reporting of everything Tulsa until economics forced both to cease operation .
Fast forward to the “ current ” keepers of the torch , all be there too many to mention here - hats off to Steve Todoroff . His lifelong archive collection can be viewed at the OK Pop Museum .
It should be noted that Tulsa has seen its share on the big screen as well . Little known fact : The first movie filmed after Elvis ’ return from his hitch in the Army was “ G . I . Blues ”. During script rehearsals Elvis had issues with his character name , and both he and the writer decided his character ’ s name be changed to “ Tulsa ”. Call it happenstance or coincident ; Elvis loved Tulsa .
As we go forward in 2017 and beyond , always remember , your shot at Gold can happen in just 15 minutes .
November The Hunt Club Tulsa , OK
Ron White Showplace Theatre ( Riverwind Casino ) Norman , OK
Billy Ocean Winstar Casino & Resort Thackerville , OK
May 20 , 2017
Breeder ’ s Invitational Tulsa Expo Square Tulsa , OK
Superrigs Truck Beauty Contest Tulsa Expo Square Tulsa , OK
OKC Whitewater Festival Riversport Rapids OKC , OK
Tulsa International Mayfest Downtown Tulsa Tulsa , OK
Oklahoma State Cowboy Fast Draw Shootout Championship Creek County Fairgrounds Kellyville , OK
Sayre Street Races Sayre Industrial Park Sayre , OK
Armed Forces Day Music Festival & Red Dirt BBQ Elmer Thomas Park Lawton , OK
Ghosts of Fort Reno Tour Historic Fort Reno El Reno , OK FIGURE IDL Ballroom Tulsa , OK
Seven Day Crash Wyld Hawgz Tulsa , OK
Doc Fell & Co . White Flag Pub Tulsa , OK
The Chimpz / Drek / Severmind / Dryvr The Shrine Tulsa , OK
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